§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to scenes that have taken place at Marlfield National School, Belfast, owing to the eviction of the principal by the manager: if he has received a Resolution passed at a public meeting, held on the 4th instant, condemning the treatment meted out to the teacher, and will he say on whose authority and on what grounds has the school been closed; and whether, in view of the fact that in November last, at the instance of the manager, an inquiry was ordered with the view of having the teacher dismissed, and after consideration of the whole facts the Commissioner refused to sanction the same, he will order the school to be opened until proper inquiries are made as to the real offender in this matter.
* MR. BRYCEThe Commissioners of National Education inform me that their attention has been called to this matter, and that they have received the Resolution referred to. The school has been closed on the authority of the manager. In November last the manager applied to the Commissioners for then assent to the summary dismissal of the principal teacher, whereupon the Commissioners directed an inquiry to be held as the outcome of which they expressed the opinion that in the circumstances of the case the dismissal of the teacher, without notice or salary in lieu of notice, would not be justified. The school-house in question is non-vested, and the Commissioners have, therefore, no power to interfere with the action of the manager in closing the school.
§ MR. SLOANI must respectfully say the Commissioners are the referees in a case like this, and the managers have no right to act without their sanction.
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is not entitled to make a speech.